The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization which includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the Quaker belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.

Job Description

Job Title: Associate General Secretary for Inclusion

Region/Unit: Office of the General Secretary

Supervisor: General Secretary

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Summary of Responsibilities: The AGS for Inclusion will provide leadership for achieving and sustaining diversity as an indispensable element of AFSC’S program and administrative excellence. The AGS/Inclusion will hold responsibility for ensuring steady, broad engagement in the organization’s effort. Reporting to the General Secretary and working closely with the Human Resources Dept., s/he will take initiative in developing programs and procedures and securing resources to enable the recruitment and retention of a diverse staff. To do so, the incumbent will consult and collaborate regularly with AFSC’S leadership, the Diversity Council, the HR Department and, as needed, with departments, regions, programs, staff groups and individual staff members as well. The AGS/Inclusion will act as a resource for administrators and committees addressing related issues of equity; and for those promoting a fair and open workplace environment.

The AGS/Inclusion will serve as AFSC’S affirmative action officer and will hold primary responsibility and accountability for ensuring equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination in all areas and for developing and implementing the organization’s affirmative action plan. Working with the HR Department, s/he will ensure that AFSC’S employment policies and practices comply with all relevant Federal, State, and local requirements as an employer. The incumbent must regularly assess and report whether AFSC is fully complying with equal employment opportunity, non-discrimination, and affirmative action requirements as they apply to AFSC’S employees.

Because AFSC is committed to realizing diversity’s benefits to moving AFSC’S mission forward, the AGS will not only act to promote staff diversity but will contribute to program planning and staff development. The AGS will advise the General Secretary on Inclusion issues. The AGS will support and serve as a member of the Diversity Council. The AGS will also provide support and staff leadership to the Board Race Relations Committee and the National Affirmative Action Committee.

Responsibilities:

Inclusion
Work closely with the HR Department, General Secretary’s office, national and regional leadership to ensure that AFSC reaches its goals for a diverse staff and that the diversity of the staff is central to moving AFSC’S mission forward.

2. Contribute to planning and action that will enable search committees to develop diverse pools of candidates for open positions

3. Work with the HR Department to strengthen recruitment and retention programs for staff.

4. Support and contribute to studies of institutional needs and trends in areas related to diversity; disseminate findings; implement strategies to address findings.

5. Along with HR colleagues, lead the design and planning of staff development programs that ensure a healthy working atmosphere and foster career development for members of under-represented groups.

6. Participate in panels, roundtables and workshops at the local state and national level on issues of diversity and inclusion.

7. With colleagues across the organization, design strategies to improve effective communication and collaboration.

8. Work closely with AFSC leadership to integrate change management methodologies into all planning.

9. Provide staff support and leadership to the National Affirmative Action Committee and the Board Race Relations Committee. Consult with the AFSC Board Nominating Committee, as needed.

Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action
Ensure that AFSC’S employment policies and practices comply with all relevant Federal, State and local requirements for equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action. Ensure that the spirit and letter of AFSC’S own Affirmative Action Plan is exceeded.

1. Represent AFSC on matters of diversity and on issues involving compliance agencies.

2. Review AFSC’S Affirmative Action Plan and update it annually, modifying the plan to conform to new regulations and changing law.

3. Develop and institutionalize and effective process for continual review and updating of the Affirmative Action Plan.

4. Direct the work of the Office of Inclusion, confidentially receiving, investigating and resolving complaints of discrimination in accordance with AFSC’S policies. Participate in other investigations of diversity related issues in coordination with the HR department and appropriate organizational leadership.

5. After an assessment, and working with the Finance director, develop an initial plan (with resources and timeline needed) to insure that all AFSC locations are ADA compliant.

6. In cooperation with the International Division, develop and maintain culturally appropriate diversity practices in the international programs.

Qualifications:
1. Direct experience working with Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action issues. Working knowledge and understanding of all applicable EEO laws. Direct working experience with – issues of women, people of color, lesbians, gay men, and bisexual and transgendered persons, and people with disabilities. Demonstrated sensitivity to these issues.
2. 10+ years of senior level management experience.
3. Baccalaureate degree required, advanced degree preferred.
4. Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion; set and maintains standards for confidentiality, apply policies with consistency, use creativity in problem solving; ability to integrate information and use sound judgment and retain a positive outlook under pressure.
5. Experience with and commitment to the principles of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, age, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Commitment to implement AFSC’s affirmative action policy of non-discrimination and plan for the inclusion of women, gay and lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, people of color, and persons with disabilities.
6. Commitment to affirmative action as witness to the Quaker belief in the equal worth of all people. Experience working with a wide range of people from diverse racial, cultural, economic, and other backgrounds. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff and be sensitive to their personnel needs.
7. Belief in and the ability to represent AFSC’s faith-based organizational principles, including a commitment to nonviolence, equality and anti-oppression work, and a belief in the intrinsic worth of each individual.
8. Demonstrated ability to clearly convey information and ideas both verbally and in writing. Resiliency, flexibility and capacity to be effective, maintain productivity, keep focus on results and use sound judgment are required attributes.
9. Demonstrated ability in assessing staff development needs and implementing training solutions as needed.
10. Ability to work collaboratively, building relationships and teams across functions. Ability to negotiate, influence and compromise. Ability to provide and receive feedback.
11. Requires sound judgment and decision making decision skills.
12. Computer proficiency in MS Work, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Experience working with various types of software preferred.
13. Willingness and ability to travel 25% to 40% of the time, to attend evening and weekend meetings, and to be available for consultation within and outside office hours.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

The AFSC National Office is a unionized workplace, represented by District Council 47 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. This is a management position and is not represented.

AFSC is a smoke-free workplace.

Human Resources Department
GSO/Associate General Secretary – 08/08

All candidates are required to apply via the AFSC jobs webpage at www.AFSC.org/jobs. The resume submission deadline is Friday, October 3, 2008

Additional information regarding AFSC can be found on its website, www.afsc.org.

Thank you to Linda Lotz at AFSC for passing along this job announcement.

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